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Saturday, June 30, 2018

Where did June go??? Time is moving way too fast, guys.Last weekend was great-James really did well at Michael's cousin's graduation party and he loved everyone he met (that whole family looks alike so he was probably just like "a world of people who look like daddy and grandma and aunt Shannan, hooray!") Sunday I worked a little but otherwise we got to hang out. This week has been interesting because we introduced food to James-he hasn't eaten much (we're doing baby led weaning so pretty much we just put food in front of him and let him do as he will) but he's starting to sort of get used to it. This weekend I'm working but not for long periods of time so I should still get time with my boys :)

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

I don't know about you but I'm starting to really try to reduce the amount of plastic in my life. It's not good when it's all up in our food and it's not food for the planet! In general I've also been trying to reduce my amount of waste and use more re-usable products. Which is why, when I spotted Etee on Instagram, I knew I HAD TO HAVE IT!

AKA they can replace plastic wrap, plastic produce bags, and even plastic sandwich bags (they actually just came out with reusable food bags and ahh I want them!).
They're crazy easy to use-the first time you get them you have to "activate" them (which means you just crumple them up in your hands and press-the heat from your hands helps activate them and make it so it sticks to itself. Umcrumple and start using!)

Then you can put them on tops of bowls and containers-just pressing around so the wrap is sticking to itself, then using the heat from your hands to "seal" it. You can also put food inside them and twist it up around them. And you can even wrap them around produce. There's a ton more info. over on the Etee site, it's awesome!

As far as the reusable part-you just wash them using cold water and an eco-friendly soap (I use method brand), air or towel dry, then they're good to go again! I've honestly used them a TON since receiving my samples and I'm crazy obsessed. I highly suggest you check them out---they come in 3 different sizes, are super reasonably priced, and they even ship free to the US and Canada! Not to mention that you can try them risk free for 90 days, so really there's no reason not to help yourself and the planet out and get on board with the Etee revolution!

Disclaimer-I was provided with Etee wraps to review. However, I was under no obligation to write a positive review and all opinions are my own.

Saturday, June 23, 2018

Hello hello my friends! How was your Father's Day? Ours was great-I made Michael a big breakfast, we hung out and enjoyed sweet baby James, and later we took him to go get ice cream (no, he didn't get to eat any. Just be held and adored as we ate lol). Monday was James' 6 month checkup which went well, super tiny tiny baby though and poor thing had to get shots. He did super well with them, though! Tuesday, James and I just hung out. Wednesday was mine and Michael's 3 year anniversary so we checked out a Mexican restaurant near us that my cousin recommended we try and we loved it (Tlaquepaque for anyone in the Canton, Ohio area)! Thursday and Friday I worked (boo) but little man has just been doing so well and is so happy (except for when he decides he needs ALL THE ATTENTION) and fun. Today we're heading to Michael's cousin's graduation party but other than that it should be fairly chill. :)

Friday, June 22, 2018

Sleeping Pattern: Very similar to last month. He had been going through a short nap phase, though, which is mostly better now. At the very least, it's improved. He takes 3 naps during the day (ranging from 30-90 minutes, usually, occasionally I'll get lucky with a 2 hour one but that's usually only if he had a bad nap prior to that) then he RARELY takes the optional catnap before bedtime (we actually have recently eliminated it completely). Still sleeping really well all night! He went through a rough week where he started rolling onto his tummy in his sleep and then waking up periodically to cry about it but he has finally gotten over that.

Eating Habits: Once again, pretty much the same! He eats 5 times over the course of the day. For awhile he'd been nursing for a while, though. Like 40 minutes, on average (anywhere from 30 minutes-1 hour is typical lately). Not sure if it was a growth spurt, but now he's back to like 20 minutes so *shrug*. No solid foods, yet. Once he's sitting up well we're going to start (and we're using baby led weaning because it makes so much sense and I'm sort of all about it. I'll keep you posted on how it goes once we start)-he's super interested in our food and keeps trying to get it so I think it'll probably go over pretty well lol.

Development: James is a total rolly poly, he rolls and scoots himself all over the place, even in the crib! He has become really intentional about going after what he wants-he now will reach for things and people and try to go after them if he can. He's also very clearly recognizing the people he sees frequently aside from Michael and I (who he's recognized for like...ever)-namely his grandparents (minus my dad) and his aunt Shannan. He gets so excited to see them and it's adorable. Oh and now he understands when he sees you across the room that you are in fact...across the room. So it's like cute and fun and he'll smile at you but then he'll eventually get mad like "HEY YOU GET OVER HERE AND PLAY WITH ME". He also literally just started being able to sit up on his own-technically after his 6 month birthday but before I published this post, lol.

Mischief: James is still enjoying "attacking" us (AKA giving a mischievious grin and then proceeding to "attack"-AKA suck on/chew on-whatever part of your head or neck he can get at lol). He also does a reverse pout--when he pouts, instead of pushing out his lower lip he pushed out his top lip and makes a sad whiny howl-y sound. It's pretty hilarious and adorable. And he's constantly reaching for everythiiing and trying to get at them--including things he shouldn't have like my phone, food, etc.

Cuteness: As always-EVERYTHING HE DOES IS CUTENESS! All the same cute stuff from last month still applies (especially his love of us and of dancing). He's become SUPER cuddly, always laying his head down on your shoulder, and he's even more into kisses now. He gives super super big kisses, especially if you were gone and he's so excited to see you so he'll grab your face and just lay them on you. He gets so excited to see Michael and I, and his grandparents and aunt Shannan too. His smiles and giggles are EVERYTHING. His little top lip pout is so funny and cute. Watching him just amuse himself, talking and making funny sounds and playing with his toys is so adorable. One thing I've forgotten to mention is that, since he was a tiny baby, if you sing "Son of Man" (from Tarzan) there's an 80% chance he will be happy and smile about it. And ya know he's just a really fun and expressive little guy with giant eyes who just loves us and is cute.

Nicknames: James-y, Littlest Bob, Nugget (or Nug or Nuggy), Cutie McCuterson, Drooly, Wiggle Worm/Wiggles/Squirmy Wormy, Cuddle Bug, Snuggle Bunny, Hedgehog, Mister, Sir, Bud/Buddy, Friend, Sweet Boy, Baby, Love (My love, little love, sweet love), Cutie patootie/pie, My Sweetie/Sweetie-pie, Little/Sweet/Baby Boy (or any combo with any of the other nicknames listed)Talking: Still playing with different sounds and going through chatty phases. Pretty sure he said "mama" the other day (I said "say mama" and he went "mama"....one and only time it has happened though, lol. Like a day later I said, "say mama" and he looked at me, then looked away and went, "no." so there you have it.) Also started trying to do "raspberries" which is just cute lol.

Favorites: Me and Michael. His grandparents and Aunt Shannan and cousin Bri. Dancing/being sang to. KISSES (he gives SO MANY KISSES NOW! And he loves to receive kisses too. He's an affectionate little fella). His feet (Michael pretty much always gets his feet free of his sleepers when they're playing and James thinks it's the best. James will then will hold them and/or try to suck on them.) Being tickled (namely on his feet and ribs, at the moment). His toys (his soft book has been a favorite this month but he's starting to appreciate all of them). Being smiled at and talked to. People making funny sounds to him. Laughing with mommy and daddy and playing with people in general. When mommy and daddy come home after being away for a bit.

Dislikes: When mommy and daddy are gone for too long. People not paying attention to him. When his teeth are bothering him. Being tired. Being put to bed. Noisiness when he's trying to sleep.

Firsts: Hmm not that many firsts this month. Maybe said "mama" for the first time. Slept on his tummy. Had his first (and potentially only lol) "acting" role (like a second in a small local commercial with me and Michael). Also one June 14 (so 4 days after turning 6 months) he began to be able to sit up unassisted, so not sure if that doesn't count for this update but meh.

Concerns: Sometimes I feel like he doesn't get as much sleep as babies are supposed to get so that stresses me out a smidge, I also still worry about how little he is (but he's eating and sleeping and developing and happy so I think he's just a little baby) but overall he's really doing well so no real concerns!

A Day in the Life: James wakes up around 7AM (hopefully, anyway lol) and either just pushes himself up to look around (because he's usually on his tummy by morning), or starts rolling over and scooting all around the crib until I go get him. Then he eats and we play (and visit with daddy before he goes to work) and I put him down for his nap around 8:45ish. Then he's up again around 10-10:30. We play (some together, and some I leave him to lay down and roll around and play with his toys, I usually try to do dishes or do other random things while he's happy to do that). I also usually will eat and have him sit in his high chair at the table next to me while I do so, so he can get used to it. Back down to nap around 12:30ish. He naps until about 1:30-2 then eats, plays, then back to nap around 3:30-4. Then he naps until 4:30-5ish, eats, and we play some more. Michael usually comes home around now and sometimes we'll all eat dinner together at the table (he chews on his plastic spoons while daddy and I eat). If he's napped badly or woke up closer to 4:30 or just seems tired I used to put him down for a short nap around 6:30, but not let him sleep much later than 7 (I've eliminated it, last time he actually took one he then wasn't tired enough for bedtime). Then around 7:30 we start getting him ready for bed (we change him, read him a book, then I go put him in his sleepsack, and put lotion on his hands). Then I feed him (around 8) in the rocker in his room and afterwards put him right down in his crib where he sleeps all night. Yay!

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Fun fact: 3 years ago today I married my favorite (aside from James) guy. 3 years of marriage and almost 9 years together (and half a year of parenthood) one of my favorite things about us is what a good team we make. We complement each other and go together like...well...chocolate and peanut butter!

And he appreciates a good cookie. Definite keeper.

There's honestly nothing not to love about these cookies-they're super soft and chewy and FULL of chocolate and peanut buttery goodness-both in the cookies themselves and in the gooey peanut butter and chocolate chips! I'm a major proponent of eating warm cookies (to the point that I'll oftentimes not bother if they're not warm) BUT these ones are still super tasty at room temp. (don't get me wrong...I still liked them warm. But I didn't turn my nose up at the cooled ones either :P).

Saturday, June 16, 2018

Last weekend was so so nice. Saturday we just sort of enjoyed each other's company and worked on a couple things (I went grocery shopping, Michael set up some shelves in the garage and vacuumed) and then Sunday we went to church AND we went out for an early anniversary dinner at our favorite restaurant (Table 6) and it was so good. I haven't been that full since before I had James (evidenced by the fact that I instinctively tried to put my hand on a big belly that I no longer have lol). Other than that I have mostly just been enjoying the week with James and getting some stuff done. Last night Michael's mom and sister came over and we all had dinner on our deck which was so lovely :)Today I'm just working the ceremony of a wedding for a few hours and then tonight we're spending a little bit of time with Michael's dad as a little bit of a Father's Day thing. Then tomorrow is all about Michael's 1st father's day! Yay!!!On a more serious note, this post from Hayley is so important and I think we all need to discuss mental health more openly and more often.

Saturday, June 9, 2018

Omigosh last weekend was crazy, but good. I worked but then we also had graduation parties for my cousins on Sat and Sun and James actually did really well meeting all those new people. Monday we went to another party, a friend's daughters' 9th birthday. Tuesday and Wednesday we mostly just relaxed and I did some cooking. Thursday was fun because I was cast in a local commercial and they ended up hiring Michael and James as well to play my husband and baby. James was only on set for like 15 minutes, he'll only be seen for a second, but it was super fun to do with my real family :) This weekend is nice because I DON'T WORK! And we aren't doing like...anything. Except that tomorrow Michael and I are going out to dinner (for the 2nd time since James was born)-probably as an early anniversary dinner. I'm so excited!

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

And another new delicious dinner has been added to my rotation! Sometimes, particularly when James was small, my in-laws would come over and bring dinner (and play with the baby, of course). One day Michael's stepmom brought this incredibly flavorful, melt in your mouth, shredded roast thing that she served over egg noodles (alongside roasted carrots-which we just talked about a few weeks ago). I asked her how she made it and it involved a packet of onion soup-I really loved the dish and the idea of it so I set out to sort of make my own, from scratch, version.

And I did-to MAJOR success. The only downside was attempting to name it. Google made it seem like this was similar to Amish shredded beef recipes so I sort of used that (I mean...I live near-ish to Ohio's Amish Country so...sure) but let me just sum it up for you.

You create a flavorful gravy-like situation that a roast (along with some garlic and onions) slowly cooks in. Then it's falling apart tender and SO SO flavorful and you shred it up and mix everything together and serve on top of mashed potatoes or egg noodles or whatever suits your fancy. And it's SO DELICIOUS. Seriously...SO. FRIGGIN. GOOD.

Saturday, June 2, 2018

This week has been a bit taxing--James has been super clingy after all the craziness of last weekend. He was also sort of moody towards the beginning of the week but he's doing much better and is happier now. His sleep at night as been so so lately too so I'm sleepy (he keeps rolling onto his tummy and then waking up every so often throughout the night to cry about it). Last weekend went well though! My best friend's wedding was BEAUTIFUL (and she looked stunninggg) and then we had a pretty chill party at my grandma's the day after that then we got to just relax at home on Monday, which was much needed. This weekend is going to be a little crazy again because I work today and tomorrow and then we have graduation parties for my cousins also today and tomorrow.